The 7 Deadly (Converting) Sins
There are some basic problems that crop up over and over again, with costly results in wasted time and materials. Below are examples, in capsule form,...
Hierarchy of Value: Part II
Last month’s column offered a value model as a way of visualizing the value of a product or service based on price/performance ratio...
Wet on Wet
Uniprint Knauer (formerly UV-Flex) recently installed a Fischer & Krecke WetFlex ten-color Flexpress 16 S press. It features Sun Chemical’s WetFlex technology, Energy Sciences’ EZCure-I electron beam (EB) curing system, and Advanced Vision Technology’s PrintVision/Argus defect detection system. The flexographic printing process applies Sun Chemical’s UniQure inks wet-on-wet to the substrate; the inks are in-line EB cured, thereby reducing energy costs and improving quality....
Reduce & Comply
Going green? Be prepared to face the challenges of today’s complex environmental compliance regulations....
JDSU Introduces Color-Shifting Flake for Unique Color Differentiation
JDSU has introduced ChromaFlair ColorShift Glitter, a new color-shifting flake that gives paints, coatings, plastics, textiles, and packaging the ability to exhibit a wide range of hues when viewed from different angles. ...
Operators' Opinions Matter
Why consult operators? The best way to make improvements is to involve those actually performing the work....
Working Undercover
Brand security and authentication are integral features of product design in today’s global economy. Converters have a role to play....
FLexo Press for EB WetFlex Launched in Germany
UV-Flex GmbH held an open house event on April 18-19 to feature Fischer & Krecke's first CI flexo press designed to use Sun Chemical's EB curable WetFlex ink technology. ...
Color 101: Part I
It has been my experience that color theory basics are communicated well by suppliers of color measurement devices. This month we will explore the practical application of this information....
Ink Mileage: Measure & Manage
In we reviewed ink transfer. With this basic understanding, we can move on to actual numbers on the basis of that which can be measured can be managed. Skeptics abound who believe there are too many variables to get useful data. Others think this is an opportunity to isolate and minimize process variation and thus improve productivity and reduce waste....
Managing the Ink Films
Last month we discussed ink composition in relation to various printing methods. Now we’ll look at basic differences in ink delivery....
Ink 101: Part II
Last month we reviewed ink usage numbers as an input to converting, noting that as a percentage, ink purchases are small, especially when compared to...
Ink 101: Part I
It is estimated the total North American (US and Canada) market for packaging materials is approximately $125 billion in annual shipments. Ink is a relatively...
Are Universal Products Possible?
The question seems like a good one when we first hear it. Why is there not a universal adhesive, coating, or ink? Such a material certainly would make...
Inks Keep Getting Smarter
Advances in recent ink technology include scented inks, microbial and bacterial sensor inks, oxygen sensor inks, and microwave inks for “doneness.” Complementing this list is the growing interest in printed RFID tags, security packaging inks, and brand protection specialty inks. Even nano- techology promises a new generation for packaging inks incorporating quantum dot bar codes. ...
Sun Chemical Introduces Flexible Packaging Printing Process
The Future of Printed Electronics
At Printed Electronics Europe 2006, it was revealed that inorganic electronic inks and materials are becoming more important. ...
Flint Ink and XSYS Announce New Name
Flint Group is the new name for the holding company created by the merger of XSYS Print Solutions, Luxembourg, and Flint Ink Corp., which took place in late 2005....
\MetalFX Wins Award
MetalFX has been named the New Product of the Year by the United Kingdom's Growing Business Awards. ...
INX Offers MetalFX Inks
INX Intl. has signed up as an official MetalFX ink maker. The company now offers inks compatible with the MetalFX process. ...
COF in Printed Packaging
Automatic packaging operations require a specific range of lubricity to process packaging products. Printing inks contribute to the package lubricity and affect both the static as well as kinetic coefficient of friction (COF)....
Odor & Exempt Solvents
Requirements for low odor in flexible packaging change as new materials are introduced in printing and laminating operations. Retained solvent is the primary odor concern of the printer and converter, and tight odor standards are maintained for printed and laminated structures....
A Look at Laminating Inks
Packaging inks come in all shapes and sizes and usually must meet unique performance requirements....
Which Ink for Which Substrate?
Every new ink project begins with an analysis of the substrate to be printed. In just minutes, the complexity of the project can be estimated from the surface tension characteristics of the substrate....
UV/EB a Bright Spot in Economy
Recent shortages of acrylic acid exemplify the problem of raw material supply and its impact on the price stability. Last year has seen various price increases in raw materials, and this trend is continuing into this year. As a result, it is anticipated raw material price fluctuations will negatively impact UV/EB products....
